Beers on the Bus - The Kings Head, Ross-on-Wye

One of two establishments in Ross named after regal body parts, the independently owned King’s Head Hotel stands nearly at the top of the High Street.This Grade II listed building, once a coaching inn dating at least from the seventeenth century has an impressive facade with an arch to the side once accommodating the enrty of coaches, now leading to the car park. The pedestrian entrance leads through a porch from the narrow outside pavement, entering into the lobby where there is a choice of two comfortable rooms.

To the right you enter the King’s Bar which has a cosy feel with a large fireplace with wood stove, wood panelling on the walls, and a mixture of seating around a variety of tables. Maps and prints adorn the walls. The bar is to the left at the back of the room, and for its size possibly has the widest choice of draught beers in Ross.

Real ale cask drinkers are well catered for, with four hand pulls, usually two dispensing beers from Corn Ales, and the others feature Wye Valley or varied guest beers. On a recent visit Corn Ales’ Merchant Bitter (3.9% ABV), proved to be an excellent modern take on an amber best bitter with traditional English hops, and Lime Light New Zealand hopped Pale Ale (3.4% ABV) was light and refreshing. Wye Valley Butty Bach and seasonal release Ernest green hop (named after the pioneering hop breeder Ernest Salmon) completed the line-up. All were in very good condition.

A shiny row of keg taps has a range of ciders from Westons, Czech-style lagers and several craft indie beers from the likes of Salt and Jute, a wheat beer, and Wye Valley Night Owl Stout. There is a zero alcohol draught option from Clear Head, and a range of low alcohol bottled beers, ciders, and gins. If you are undecided, you can order a mixed trio of small measures of beers and ciders to taste. A chalk board lists a range of classic cocktails, gins of the week, and a range of wines are available by the glass.

Opposite the King’s Bar, to the left as you enter, the Library is another comfortable space with, as you might suspect, two large well stocked bookshelves. Again there is a range of tables of different sizes and a large fireplace with wood stove. Food options vary from bar snacks available after 6pm, and meals served in the Library and Bar during kitchen hours. For more formal evening dining the restaurant, accessed at the back of the foyer, has a range of courses with some vegetarian options.

A corridor by the side of the restaurant leads to a small patio space with tables, opening out the to the hotel residents’ car park and the entrance to the part of the building that has recently changed its’ role. Once an agricultural merchants market, and later a cinema, workshop garage and offices, after a period of neglect it was revived in 2022 by the hotel management. Now known as the Corn Exchange, it has been transformed into a modern event space that offers music, including a Jazz Club on some Thursdays presenting nationally renowned acts, also regular comedy nights and cabaret. The space is also available for private hire for parties and weddings.

One unique feature can be seen to the side of the performance stage: cordoned off from the main floor, a two barrel microbrewery kit that supplies the Corn Exchange bar and the King’s Bar with the beers mentioned above. Since Motley Hog brewery moved out to Brampton Abbots, Corn Ales is now the only brewery in Ross town. Brewer Rob Vidler single-handedly brews all the beers, having learned his trade during and after the pandemic at Ledbury Real Ales. He clearly was a great student, as witnessed by the excellence of the beers he produces, with a range of styles in addition to those mentioned above, including dark beers, IPAs, and green hop beers in the recent picking season. At present the majority of production is sold at the hotel and Corn Exchange, but he has supplied some festivals and may supply selected pubs in the future. Corn Ales is a great addition to the Herefordshire brewing scene, and an excellent reason to visit the hotel.